Spending Review: Massive cheques from the chancellor for some - but what do totals hide? There have been huge fights inside government about the looming Spending Review. Until we hear the chancellor's speech, and then see all of the documents in full on Wednesday, the story of the Spending Review won't be clear. No 11 is determined to prove that she has made decisions only a Labour chancellor would make. A senior Labour source said, Wednesday will be "the moment, this government clicks into gear, or it won't".